i had a 100 f2, and now own a 85 1.8. the 100f2 was a terrific lens. The 100 has metal filter threads,while the 85's are plastic. they both focus very quickly, and are both very sharp. the 85 seems to have more CA than i remember the 100 having, while the 85 seems to have a bit better bokeh. they both are really great lenses, and i don't think you can go wrong with either. really the main differences are the focal length and speed, and even then there isn't much in it. The only reason i'm now running the 85 instead of the 100 is for that extra 1/3rd stop in speed. i already own 2.8 zooms, so i just wanted something more removed from them.

I would get the 85 1.8 the 100 macro and maybe the 135 f 2 if you can afford or save up for them. I think my set up is pretty good except I am upgrading my 70-200 to the 2.8 II and selling my two EF-S lenses. Good luck.

I had the 85/1.8 and sold it after moving to FF, didn't like the working distance. recently I shot few commercial environmental portraits with 100/2 and I gotta admit 85 is better performer.. OoF is on par, perhaps even 100/2 has a slight edge (matter of personal taste actually) but it lacks that sweet crispiness 85 used to deliver for me.

I had the 85/1.8 and it's very sharp, even wide open. Great af speed, and for the price it's hard to beat. I once owned the 100/2, but I owned it back when I shot Ilford films only, so I can't really comment on its sharpness vs. the 85/1.8.

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I dont have any esperience with either of the lenses, but if It were me I would definately go for the 85 f/1.8. it's extemely sharp, and a bit more versitile than the 100- plus, it's an excellent focal length for portraits.

Gothmoth

I dont have any esperience with either of the lenses, but if It were me I would definately go for the 85 f/1.8. it's extemely sharp, and a bit more versitile than the 100- plus, it's an excellent focal length for portraits.

I own the 85 and it is really sharp from f/2.8 down. I wouldn't use it wide open unless you were desperate or something. I do like that the focusing speed is super fast, really good for moving subjects. The 100 is known to be similar so either one would be a winner, you just need to decide which focal length is best suited for your work.

The copy I have has just too much purple fringing in high contrast scenes at f/1.8 - 2.8 for my liking so maybe the 100 would be better but since I have it now I'll keep it and make the most of it.

Oh and bokeh is just amazing on this lens! I haven't used it much as I only bought it fairly recently but on the few headshots I did it was great!

I have used both for portrait shoots and i do mainly 90% portrait shoots on my 5D3.Personally i'm not too bothered about sharpness between the 2 because you can't go wrong with both..Prime lenses are always sharp.I am using 80% of the time my 85 f1.8 and the other 20% my 50 f1.4I've stopped using the 100mm because well, i find it harder to use than the 85 in terms of framing somehow.85 really is the perfect focal range for portraits and with more space even does well for full body shots..i only use the 50mm when i don't have enough space which is rare..